But with downtown Wilmington's Riverfront Farmers' Market and the Poplar Grove Farmers Market opening almost at the same time and operating longer than typical farmers' markets, which one is best for both the customer and vendor?

The Wilmington market, located along the Cape Fear River in Riverfront Park, begins its season Saturday.

"Saturday morning is a great family time where you can teach your kids where their food comes from," said market manager Julie Bishop.

But vendors coming to the Riverfront market, which runs until mid-December, do so at a cost. To reserve a space includes a $20 application fee for vendors who did not participate in the 2012 market, a $100 annual membership fee, and a vendor fee for space.

"I think the vendor fee's weed out the venders to certain degree, so that we get the highest quality vendors we can get," said Mary Ann Olsen, owner of Olsen Farms and Riverfront's board of director's secretary. "We like to have consistent turnout as a rule."

While this isn't a change from last year, according to Bishop, the space fees are more expensive than at Poplar Grove, which has a Wednesday market starting next week. The Riverfront space fee varies based on payment by day, week, month or year.

In total, participation costs for a Riverfront space for new vendors could be between $145 for a day and $552 for the year for farmers and $336 for artisans. Poplar Grove space fees, including the application and membership fee, vary from $122 for a day and $310 ($330 for new vendors) for the year for both artisans and farmers.

With both markets opening soon, local venders can sell their products directly to the customer at either or both markets depending on their taste.

Both markets, vendors said, also have attractive qualities for the customer - Poplar Grove operating on Wednesdays and Riverfront on Saturdays - and both, or course, offer the charm of selling organic, homemade products farmers markets are known for.

"We've got a lot more room at Poplar Grove, there's a playground and they have chickens there for the children to see," said Backyard Gardener owner Nadine Gilmore, who is a vendor at both markets. "Both have good points; at the Riverfront Market we're right there on the river, so the atmosphere is really nice. Riverfront is more expensive to participate in for the vendors, but there is also live music."

In addition to having fresh produce, baked goods, cut flowers and homemade everything, the Riverfront market also accepts electronic benefit transfer and debit cards. In return, patrons are given wooden coins they can cash-in at any vendor.

In its seventh year, the Poplar Grove market at the historic peanut plantation in Scotts Hill is bringing back traditions like plant clinics, where the Pender County Master Gardeners come to answer questions concerning lawn and plant care. The market also recently confirmed that local favorite, Catch Food Truck, which serves three ceviches, soups and daily specials on-the-go, will come to the plantation the fourth Wednesday of every month.

The market also has added a second option for seasonal vendors wanting to be part-time participants.

"We wanted to encourage vendors to participate in the market and be more economically helpful," said BJ Ryan, Poplar Grove's farmers market coordinator. "We were hoping to draw in a bigger variety of vendors.

More seasonal farmers markets, such as those at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, will start in early May.

<p>Chilly temperatures won't stop local farmers from bringing their canopy tents and folding tables to two local farmers markets starting their seasons in the next few days.</p><p>But with downtown Wilmington's Riverfront Farmers' Market and the Poplar Grove Farmers Market opening almost at the same time and operating longer than typical farmers' markets, which one is best for both the customer and vendor?</p><p>The Wilmington market, located along the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic91"><b>Cape Fear River</b></a> in Riverfront Park, begins its season Saturday.</p><p>"Saturday morning is a great family time where you can teach your kids where their food comes from," said market manager Julie Bishop.</p><p>But vendors coming to the Riverfront market, which runs until mid-December, do so at a cost. To reserve a space includes a $20 application fee for vendors who did not participate in the 2012 market, a $100 annual membership fee, and a vendor fee for space.</p><p>"I think the vendor fee's weed out the venders to certain degree, so that we get the highest quality vendors we can get," said Mary Ann Olsen, owner of Olsen Farms and Riverfront's board of director's secretary. "We like to have consistent turnout as a rule."</p><p>While this isn't a change from last year, according to Bishop, the space fees are more expensive than at Poplar Grove, which has a Wednesday market starting next week. The Riverfront space fee varies based on payment by day, week, month or year.</p><p>In total, participation costs for a Riverfront space for new vendors could be between $145 for a day and $552 for the year for farmers and $336 for artisans. Poplar Grove space fees, including the application and membership fee, vary from $122 for a day and $310 ($330 for new vendors) for the year for both artisans and farmers.</p><p>With both markets opening soon, local venders can sell their products directly to the customer at either or both markets depending on their taste.</p><p>Both markets, vendors said, also have attractive qualities for the customer - Poplar Grove operating on Wednesdays and Riverfront on Saturdays - and both, or course, offer the charm of selling organic, homemade products farmers markets are known for.</p><p>"We've got a lot more room at Poplar Grove, there's a playground and they have chickens there for the children to see," said Backyard Gardener owner Nadine Gilmore, who is a vendor at both markets. "Both have good points; at the Riverfront Market we're right there on the river, so the atmosphere is really nice. Riverfront is more expensive to participate in for the vendors, but there is also live music."</p><p>In addition to having fresh produce, baked goods, cut flowers and homemade everything, the Riverfront market also accepts electronic benefit transfer and debit cards. In return, patrons are given wooden coins they can cash-in at any vendor.</p><p>In its seventh year, the Poplar Grove market at the historic peanut plantation in Scotts Hill is bringing back traditions like plant clinics, where the Pender County Master Gardeners come to answer questions concerning lawn and plant care. The market also recently confirmed that local favorite, Catch Food Truck, which serves three ceviches, soups and daily specials on-the-go, will come to the plantation the fourth Wednesday of every month.</p><p>The market also has added a second option for seasonal vendors wanting to be part-time participants.</p><p>"We wanted to encourage vendors to participate in the market and be more economically helpful," said BJ Ryan, Poplar Grove's farmers market coordinator. "We were hoping to draw in a bigger variety of vendors.</p><p>More seasonal farmers markets, such as those at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, will start in early May.</p><p>Juliane Bullard: 343-2023</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNewsOnline</p>